One more time: the latest job board and recruiting news

Last week I looked back at the industry news for 2015…but (ahem) I then realized I hadn’t done a new update since November. Oops. So, without further ado, here is the last (really!) news update for 2015. I promise.

Is it hot in here?: eQuest announced another enhancement to its job distribution suite of products and services called eQuest Thermostat™. The services lets customers weigh and blend incoming recommendation data by unique job board to achieve a more specific, higher analytical result. Perfect for global warming!

Big data for JobSpotting: Berlin-based Jobspotting has added several new features to its platform, which helps job seekers to discover relevant positions in 9 countries. Founded by a couple of ex-Googlers and backed by the Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator and Horizons Ventures, the new analytics tool for employers makes it easier to attract relevant candidates, using a dashboard that draws from data about more than 200,000 companies and their recruitment activities.

When only the worst will do: A new website created by Debut, a career app for students and graduates, has been launched to highlight some of the very worst (real) jobs and demonstrate the lengths in which some people will go to make a living. The site is (appropriately) called www.wtf-jobs.com. Ok then.

And another freelancer site launches: LiquidTalent has launched out of beta, offering companies a marketplace to find developer and designer talent on-demand both on the web and mobile. The company was founded by Alex Abelin, Google’s former public affairs manager, and Scott Annan.

WorkMarket offers healthcare: Work Market, an on-demand marketplace for independent professionals, is offering its entire network of independent professionals across the U.S. with access to affordable healthcare via a partnership with Stride Health. Users can find appropriate, affordable coverage typically reserved for full-time employees. The shape of things to come?

Indeed is making moolah: Indeed generated $300.3 million of revenue in the first-half of 2015, 57% higher than the previous year. In the first-half of 2015, Indeed added more than 330 global employees. In another sign of long term intentions, the company has set up an ‘ad lab’ to test which ads work best in different countries. You could say they’re on a roll.

The gig economy ain’t that big: “Uber drivers represent significantly less than 0.1 percent of all full-time-equivalent employment. Uber could account for between 0.1 to 0.14 percent of total full-time-equivalent employment at the end of 2015. Evidence of an exploding gig economy is, as they say, showing up everywhere but the data.” A fascinating article by Lawrence Mishel – worth a read.

AppCast lands some cash: Appcast, the pay-per-applicant job ad exchange, announced that it received $5 million in new funding from Point Judith Capital, IrishAngels, and Baird Capital. This investment brings the total funding that Appcast has raised to date to $7.4 million.

Another gig finding app launches: Bounty is an app which helps people find nearby small jobs they can do for extra cash. Bounty users can browse for nearby jobs – “gigs” – using a map interface, or they can be notified when they’re close to a paying position. These jobs range anywhere from a dollar up to $30 or $40, depending on the complexity involved. I’m not holding my breath on getting rich.

Well, that really is it for 2015. I will be back next year for what I am sure will be an action-packed 12 months. Happy holidays!